The phono stage I always wanted!

[@earkivaren]

Hi Janos. As I've written before, me and my children are just wetting our feet in the vinyl world for the first time, and I'm a little overwhelmed :) I must have been living under a rock, cause I had no idea about the variety and vital combinations of tonearms, headshells and cartridges. Let alone specific cartridges for mono-recordings or 78's, or SOT's only for specific ohm-ranges. We've just bought an old Rega Planar 3, and in an inspired moment, I immidiately went on Discogs and bought som used jazz albums from the 50'ties (mono), only to figure out that I needed a separate cartridge! And as I'm really interested in buying old records, what is this about "Turnover Frequency Adjustment" and EQ-curves and "roll-off adjustment"?? This is a LOT of complex questions, that will require multiple video-series to answer, so can I start with just a simple one: Will the Hagerman Trumpet somehow limit, what records you are able to play? The variability in impedance and gain is a feature, that you often see in other phono stages, but will you need the whistles and bells of something like the Sunvalley EQ1616D phono stage to play and enjoy the more esoteric or oldish recordings from the 50'ties and backwards? I'm not able to post a link to the Sunvalley, that Victor Kung (seller of Elekit amps), distributes, but try to paste this string into a browser: "www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/eq1616d-phono-amp.345254/". As always, fantastic videos! Claus

[@realworldaudio]

Hello Claus, you are getting into trouble! The good kind of trouble. :) Sadly, the Trumpet does not have EQ selection ability, but it does have an MC step up. So, it can only play "regular" 33RPM/45RPM RIAA records. I am lucky with the Hagerman Violin, that was the only phono stage Jim built that had selectable EQ. Nonetheless, 99.9% of phono stages have only RIAA EQ, so they can only play 33/45RPM RIAA records properly. For that purpose, the Trumpet is perhaps the best value phono, takes you to the 20-50K$ level of phono stage experience for the price of a good laugh (in comparison to tend-game prices). I'm glad you shared out the EQ1616d, I did not know about it. It's a superb find, and has marvelous flexibility to play anything... so, that's a great bonus on the Trumpet. Yet, for RIAA alone (where 99.99% of all vinyl falls), the Trumpet will eat the EQ1616D for morning, lunch, dinner, and a few snacks in between. Don't despair though, there's so much that can be done to truly spruce up the EQ1616D... enjoy the ride! ; Janos (PS: all this excitement on phono stages truly rose my spirits to build one.... I wish I had the time!! Sigh.)

[@earkivaren]

@@realworldaudio Hi Janos. Another long form answer! Much appreciated. I really do hate to divert your attention from the legendary lecture series on loudspeaker design and building, that you've started :), but I've asked a follow-up question in your video-reply. Answer if and when you have the time :) Claus

[@earkivaren]

And I must say, that I much prefer to buy Jims Cornet. I was just wandering about its configuration options, relative to something the the Sunvalley's ditto (or your Violin). Claus

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

I use a Mitchell A. COTTER MK2-L since 1980 ( silver ).........I compared this to everything else....and yes there are other very good MC stages..........but a transformator is the right solution. This is so human sounding , and the soundstage even defines the ceiling and floor of the stage or sound from the place of the recording......sometimes you can say it's a morning or sunshine or a rainy day....when recordings were made. Have also a pair of Partridge also ....... Recently i found an active MC stage , double mono class A....MC 17 from Accuphase....., (double power supply...)

[@realworldaudio]

That's also my experience, a good step up transformer allows more human qualities to shine through. Thank you for the tip on the Cotter step-up! ; )

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

@@realworldaudio You're welcome..........in a world build and forced on competition, people should learn to share and work/create together....

[@realworldaudio]

@@frankgeeraerts6243 Thank you Frank! That was my idea behind creating this channel, to create a bridge to bring us, like minded builder audiophiles together so we can share and learn from each other.

[@paulhall5498]

tina says hi , she said its been some time

[@realworldaudio]

Hello Paul, please say hello to her! It's been ages!

[@earkivaren]

Hi Janos. What is the difference (in topology) between the internal step-up of the Trumpet (and possibly other "integrated" phono stages), and a traditional, standalone SUT?

[@realworldaudio]

SUTs are transformers, and the built in step ups are active devices - usually FET transistors. ;

[@haman-dex]

Hi, Janos! Do you have an experience with the benz micro lukaschek PP1?

[@haman-dex]

Also EAR 834P phono preamp.? Those two are the ones I am looking at on the used market.

[@realworldaudio]

@@haman-dex No experience with the PP1.834P: nice tone, I recommend it. I did a video on the Cornet vs 834P... not sure what the title was.

[@thetakeout]

Do you still use the Hagerman or did you end up building a different phono preamp?

[@realworldaudio]

I still use the Hagermans, and will keep them for good :) The Violin in the main system, and the Cornet in the second system. I just keep on modifying them. ; Janos

[@thetakeout]

@@realworldaudio do you use the power supply that came with the Cornet?

[@realworldaudio]

@@thetakeout I have the second generation Cornet, that uses the good old brute force PSU method - big transformer, CRC filtering; . However, will be time to throw in a choke as well... The Violin is also brute force traditional PSU, separate power transformer for high voltage, separate for filaments, and two chokes for individual choke input for each channel. Both are tube rectified.

[@rickg8015]

I still prefer high quality step up transformers for MC.. So personally I’d stick with a Cornet 3..

[@realworldaudio]

The Cornet 3 is a fantastic choice, and most people will be super happy with it. The Trumpets step up is excellent though, and will be better choice than cheap or mid-level SUTs. I agree with you, a superb step up transformer is better. However, the Trumpet allows to adjust load, and that will allow to try out different cartridges, while you need to have a SUT that specifically matches your cartridge.

[@rickg8015]

@@realworldaudio I agree with you with the flexibility range of the Trumpet’s active MC, but I mainly use a Hashimoto SUT with two taps for differrent step-up ratios depending on cart used, so there is still some limited adjustability.. And I actually don’t have a Cornet, a friend does . Mine is DIY too though, a 2 stage DC coupled plate choke loaded output stage MM design I got from diyaudio. Thanks.

[@realworldaudio]

@@rickg8015 It seems you have superb phono and SUT, you are all set! I'm glad you have gone DIY :). Diyaudio is a great forum, with lots of excellent DIY action.

[@rickg8015]

@@realworldaudio there are helpful people there at diyaudio, as well as other forums.. Oh btw, you might like this new upload: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2GTeIV-qsp8eas

[@realworldaudio]

@@rickg8015 Thank you for the superb recommendation! This is what audio is all about :)